Active preload control of a redundantly actuated Stewart platform for backlash prevention

Boyin Ding, Benjamin Cazzolato, Steven Grainger, Richard Stanley, John Costi

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    There is an increasing trend to use Stewart platforms to implement ultra-high precision tasks under large external loads (e.g. biomechanical testing) mainly due to their high stiffness, and high load carrying capacity. However, the backlash or joint clearance in the system can significantly degrade the accuracy. This work studied the application of actuation redundancy in a general Stewart platform to regulate the preloads on its active joints for the purpose of backlash prevention. A novel active preload control method was proposed to achieve a real-time approach that is robust to large six degree of freedom external loads. The proposed preload method applies an inverse-dynamics based online optimization algorithm to calculate the desired force trajectory of the redundant actuator, and uses a force control scheme to achieve the required force. Simulation results demonstrate that this method is able to eliminate backlash inaccuracies during application of large external loads and therefore ensure the precision of the system.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2013 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
    PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
    Pages1908-1915
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Electronic)978-1-4673-5643-5
    ISBN (Print)978-1-4673-5641-1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 14 Nov 2013
    Event2013 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation - Karlsruhe, Germany
    Duration: 6 May 201310 May 2013

    Publication series

    NameProceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
    PublisherIEEE
    Volume2013
    ISSN (Electronic)1050-4729

    Conference

    Conference2013 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
    Abbreviated titleICRA
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityKarlsruhe
    Period6/05/1310/05/13

    Keywords

    • Backlash prevention
    • force control
    • inverse dynamics
    • online optimization
    • redundant actuation
    • Stewart platform

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Active preload control of a redundantly actuated Stewart platform for backlash prevention'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this